The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-06
A "REMINISCENCES.
How Colonel Bob Ingersoll Relieved the
Needs of a Suffering Guard.

How Colonel Bob Ingersoll Relieved the
Needs of Suffering Guard.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5-stAn interesting in
stance in war history was developed in the
Pension Office the other day." said an Illinois
veteran this morning, land it is bit from
the annals of Colonel Bob Ingersolrs command.
While Colonel Ingersolls regiment was biv-
ouacked at the fair grounds at Peoria, covering
several days, the weather became intensely cold.
The condition of the public feeling at that time,
together with the desire of the Colonel to give
the boys some drill and discipline, led him to
throw out all the safeguards of the camp, and
guards were put duty 1t was very disagree
able and the Colonel said it was pity to keep
the poor fellows on the picket where there was
no danger
sit was just before the command moved South
that the commander was married. The weather
was as dsagreeable as one could imagine-snow,
Ice and cutting winds. Nevertheless the guards
we're on duty, just the same as they were where
the fighting was expected. All the arrange
meIts for the marriage of the commander were
made when he rode out to the fair grounds to
see the boys Riding around the lines he dis
covered the pckets shivering. and his sympathies
were thoroughly aroused Finally he was hailed
by one poor fellow.
Colonel said he, I am about to freeze.
You must give bottle of whisky and an
overcoat or relieve me, or you will move with
one less private
"'You shall have all three replied the
Colonel, and, suiting his words with action he
pulled off his overcoat, and, as he handed it to
the guard, said:
There, take that overcoat In the inside
pocket you will find bottle of whisky. Now,
you are relieved from this duty. won't have
any picket duty on such day as this
''And the Colonel rode off to the city. It was
discovered afterward that the overcoat he gave
to the soldier was the made with his wed
ding suit. Well, the man served through the
war with Colonel Ingerso, and emerged with
Impaired health. he has rheumatism, which he
declares contracted while on guard duty
that day, when he almost frozen. He re-
Gently applied for pension, ana told this story
In his proof of disability contracted In the
service.
Colonel Ingersoll never believed in disci-
pine" continued the veteran, "and, I may add
ne never had any discipline in his command
was with him, and if there was one thing he de-
spised more than another, it was what Ne called
show business'-the routine work intended to
discipline. He believed that his command ought
to make up in bravery what it lacked in disci-
pline when the moment for action came. And,
Il may say, he inculcated much of that feeling in
his men. He used to preach to them that it
made nc difference when man died, or how he
died, and seemed to want the men to be in a
mood of recklessness all the time-not in mood
to throw away life, but to stand up and imperil
1t to win battle.
'sThe Colonel had one trait of character which
endeared him to every man under him. It was
that of acquainting himself personally with each
enc. And he was the arbitrator of many little
troubles, personal and mpersonal. with the
men. He would sit around with the priyates
down on the common level and tell stories. and
address them by their Christian Names and they
all felt that he their individual friend which
was true, for an insult to one of his men was an
insult to him."